Special is a recording artist based in Toronto, Canada. He currently has a deal (as one half of the eTEAM) with Awesome Music/EMI Canada and is releasing his first single through the imprint “T-Shirt Time”, a high energy track laced over production from Dj Lil’ Pete from the Soundbluntz.
Special is also closely affiliated with both eLLIPTIC The Symphony and Jersey Sound Lab. He also runs Boom Box Radio, an urban media site and podcast.

Quick History

It started out as a crush, but it soon transgressed into a love affair that was so intense, it took over his soul. Special grew an appreciation for music at a young age. It all started with a boombox and an MC Hammer Tape. “It may seem cheesy”, Special has remarked, “But this music was sort of like a father to me”. Indeed his roots in the hip-hop culture are evident when one takes a listen to his music. With influences from the likes of Big Daddy Kane, Craig G, De La Soul and Tribe Called Quest, Special is making his mark on the music industry.

Special grew up in Ottawa, Canada’s capital in the 80’s. He was an only child, with an affinity for arts and poetry. At the age of 10, he met his producer, and business partner J.C, and the two began their journey into the industry. J.C began making beats, and Special began to script out lyrics. They built a foundation and expanded their skills well into their high school years, when Special began to utilize his high school’s studio to record tracks. After high school, Special moved to Canada’s mega city, Toronto, for university, with the hopes of pursuing a career in the industry.

During his first year in the city, he formed a Low Pro Entertainment, a music production company, and began to network, garnering some US radio spots, and a handful of mixtape appearances worldwide. Special released 2 underground albums (Hip-Hop-A-Saurus and Special Valentine), earning himself a small distribution deal with an up and coming label, Bassmint Music (founded by 80’s electro music artist Hashim, who struck large with his hit “Al Nayafish”). The deal fizzed and Special found himself jaded and back at square one.

His most important connection, however, came when he met with Toronto based emcee Truezt over the Hip Hop Canada Message boards. The two began to collaborate on some demo material, and even garnered some radio play, and attention from players in the hip hop community.

Unimpressed with label woes, Truezt decided to form Iron Curtain Records in 2006, and formed a close alliance with Low Pro Entertainment, making J.C his main producer. Low Pro Entertainment and Iron Curtain Records eventually teamed up with eLLIPTICClothing company and formed eLLIPTIC The Symphony Records, combining music and fine art.

Special is also affiliated with Newark, New Jersey, based Jersey Sound Lab. Performing under the group name 4th Quarter Along with Newark rapper, Internal Quest, Special has been leaking singles leading up to both the 4th Quarter LP and Mixtape, slated for release in 2011.

T-Shirt Time is the first major label (Awesome Music/ EMI Canada) release for the E-Team (Special and Truezt). The Duo are releasing the song (and all it’s remixes) on I-Tunes. The song is also being relesed online and nationwide (HMV, Wal-Mart, Future Shop and anywhere else you purchase cd’s) on the Ultimate Hitz Cd, which is available in stores and online (I-Tunes, amazon, Etc.). To get it on I-Tunes click here

This is the now infamous promo video. Video is still available for a limited time.

Here are a few fan videos created by YouTube users.

Boom Box Radio, which is the brainchild of Toronto artist Special and producer Wallholder is a breath of fresh air. It wedges itself neatly into what appears to be a niche market these days: people who love to hear pure uncut hip hop music.

Special bangs out 20 minutes of classic hip hop, cleverly woven together with new tunes, and even a few exclusives. Special, who previously hosted the 20 episode podcast series The Low Pro Podcast Show, describes the show as a weekly walk through his incredibly stacked IPOD. “There are a lot of current podcasts already pumping the newest music, and many which strictly focus on old school”, notes Wallholder, “but this is different, we play songs that people won’t expect”. Special describes his intentions with the show by saying, “Every week I try to play things that will not only bring fond memories back to purists, but also open ears to things they may have either never heard before, or looked over in the past. I used to hate bumping what everyone else was bumping when I was young, and as a result always found myself searching for the next thing, and wearing out the B-Sides. Music is my life, and this show is something therapeutic to me.” The show, which already has a dedicated following, is looking towards a promising future. “Hip hop isn’t dead”, Wallholder has been quoted as saying, “it lives on Boom box radio”.

Boom Box Radio has grown over the last two years into an urban media hot spot, and is currently working on developing new shows and interactive site additions.

March 11th
Special Guest Performance of the Hit single, T-Shirt Time
Blue Suede Sue’s, Toronto

March 12th
Ultimate Hits Cd Release Party
Babyface Lounge, Toronto

“Bar Ain’t Far Away” (BAFA) was the first officially commercially released music video by the eTEAM (Special and Truezt). The video was filmed by ANT for N5P and was featured on Much Music, BET and MTV. The video fared well, and as a result of the success, the team decided to throw a remix contest, allowing producers from all over to submit remixes. Below you can watch the video, and download the free “Art of the Remix” mixtape.

Official Video

Art of the Remix: Mixtape

A Rapper’s Motivation was the second commercially released video by the eTEAM (Truezt and Special). The video was shot by Ryan Knight, and was promoted heavily online. Much like “Bar Ain’t Far Away”, the song was given the remix treatment. This time, the official remix production was done by Toronto’s own Casino. Below you can watch the video, and hear the remix, which features Millen, Ladi G, Internal Quest and Truezt.

Official Video

Official Remix